Vending machine



Oct. 6, 1931. M. T. ASHE 1,825,847

VENDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 30, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet l M. T. ASHE VENDING MACHINE Qct; 6, 1931.

Fil D 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 M. T. ASHE VENDING MACHINE Oct. 6, 1931.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec M. T. ASHE VENDING MACHINE Oct; 6, 1931.

Filed Dec.

1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 4' ing description. The two coin shutes 3 join into a common 15 Referring now to the drawings shute 5 (see Fig. 6) into which the coin from as Fig. 1 is a View showing one form of vendeither shute 3 passes. The coin shutes are ing machine embodying the invention; completely enclosed on the front and back Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 and sides as illustrated. Associated with 01 Fig. 4; the coin shute is a magnet 6, arranged be- Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 38 tween the shutes 3 and 4t and in the shute 5, E of Fig. 4; so that all coins or other devices inserted in Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line either of the shutes'3, must pass by the poles l4 of Fig. i 3; of this magnet. Anything of magnetic ma- Fig. 5 is a View of oneiorm of discharging terial inserted in the shutes will be attached device; to the magnet and will not operate the dis- '1 Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken on line 66 charging mechanism. The magnet is proof Fig. 1; vided with a removing device 7 which is ac a Fig. 10 1s av sectional vlew taken on line STATES PATENT GFFICE MARSELIUS T. ASHE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS VENDING MACHINE Application filed. December 30, 1922. Serial No. 609,841.

This invention relates to vending ma- Like numerals refer to like parts throughchmes, and has for its ob ect to provide a out the several figures. new and lmproved machine of thls descrip- In the constructlon shown there is protion, which shall be smali, compact, cheap vided an inner casing 1, which carries the 5 to construct and efficient in operation. Anoperating and discharging mechanism. This 5 other object of the invention is to provide casing'consists of the back and the forwarda vending machine which while eiiicient in ing projecting sides 2. The mechanism is discharging material when the proper coin connected with the back and with the sides of is inserted, is arranged so that it will prevent this inner casing. Connected with this cas- 10 operation by slugs or other ordinary agencies ing are two coin shutes 3, and the sides of sometimes used for this purpose. the casing have the coin slots 4: therein,

The invention has other objects which are through which coins are inserted. This permore particularly pointed out in the followmits coins to be inserted from either side.

Fig. 7 1s a sectional view taken on line tuated when the discharging mechanism is 7-7 of Fig. 3; actuated, so as to remove anything that is at- 30 Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line tached to the magnet, and this removing de- 8 8 of Fig, 3; vice acts when the mechanism is in such posi- Fi 9 i ti 1 i t k on li tion that the device removed therefrom will 9 9 f Fi 3- pass through into the coin box without affecting the mechanism. The coin shute 3 is preferably provided with a deflector 8 (see Fig. 6) which insures the proper direction of the coin passing through the shute.

1010 of Fig. 3; r

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 6 with parts Omitted; Then a coin 9 of the re er size asses 12 a Feet-10nd View taken on 11116 through the shute, it is st dpp ed in the posi- 4O 12.12 of 5 .Wlth Parts Omltted; 7 tion shown in Fig. 6, where it engages the F155" 13 1S Vmw of one of the toothed toothed part 10 and the projection 11 on the is a j toothed part 12. The toothed part 12 in the 14 1s a 716W of one of the toothed Com construction shown is located on the back of engaging P the inner casing (see Fig. 2), and the pro- 45 15 is a View Ell-Owing one method of jection l1 thereon projects through aslot 13 holding the slot closing devices in closed poin id b k so as t b i a iti t b sit-ion; V engaged by the coin 9; The toothed part 12 Fig. 16 shows a modified construction; engages a rack 1% on the back'of the inner Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken on line casing (see Fig. 2).- This rack is connected 1717 of Fig. 3; to the operating handle 15.

In the construction shown the back is provided with an opening 16, and the rack 14 has its end 17 bent substantially at right angles and connected with the operating handle 15 (see Fig. 4). It will thus be seen that whenever the handle 15 is pushed inwardly, the rack 14 is reciprocated and the teeth thereon engaging the teeth of the toothed portion 12, cause the toothed portion to be rotated so as to move the projection 11 along the slot 13. If there is no coin between the projection 11 and the toothed part 10, this movement occurs without producing any eflect.

The distance between the projection 11 and the face of the part 10 nearest thereto is accurately calibrated so that the proper size coin is just held between them. A slug or anything which is slightly smaller than the proper coin, will drop down between the projection 11 and the part 10 into the coin box 18, and will not produce any effect. When a coin of the proper size is stopped between the projection 11 and the part 10, and the handle 15 is moved inwardly so as to move the rack 14 of the toothed part 12, the coin 9 (see Fig. 6) connects the projection 11 with the toothed part 10, and causes the toothed part 10 to rotate. The teeth of the part 10 engage teeth on the toothed rack 19, and this movement of the part 10 causes the rack 19 to be moved upwardly simultaneously with the rack 14. The toothed rack 14 at its upper end has an inwardly projecting part 20 (see Fig, 12) which projects through an opening in the back of the inner casing, and has connected with it a piece 21 which has a closing piece 22 connected thereto which slides back and forth and which closes one of the coin openings 4 (see Fig. 12). The piece 21 has a cross piece 23 connected therewith which extends across the casing, and which has on the other side another closing piece 22, which closes the coin opening 4 on the other side of the casing. It will be seen that by means of this arrangement the coin openings are closed while the mechanism is being operated, and this occurs whenever the handle 15 is moved inwardly, regardless of whether or not a coin is placed in the machine.

The toothed rack 19 is connected with the discharging mechanism for discharging the material to be given to the customer, and some means is provided for insuring its continued movement after once being started so as to insure the discharge of the product used in the machine. In the construction shown this toothed rack has pivoted thereto an engaging part 24 adapted to engage the rack 14 whenever the two toothed racks are moved simultaneously. This engaging device is normally held out of engagement with the rack 14 by having its lower end 25 engage the controlling projection 26 on the back of the inner casracks are moved simultaneously the engaging part engages the guiding part 27, and this moves it about its pivot 28, and causes the hook to engage the angular or bent portion 20 of the rack 14. Any further movement of the rack 14 will thus carry the rack 19 along with it, and hence even if the coin falls out, the rack 19 will be carried to its final position to insure the discharge of the material being vcnded. The hook is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, in engagement with part 20 of rack 14.

I also provide means for preventing the return of the rack 19 after it has been given its initial movement. This mechanism consists of a pawl 29, pivoted at- 30, and having a retracting spring 31 (see Fig. 4). The rack 19 is provided with the teeth 32, which are engaged by the pawl 29. The arrangement is such that when the pawl engages these teeth it will be moved to an inclined position so that the rack 19 cannot be retracted until the pawl is moved past all of the teeth 32. It is then released, and this releases the rack 19 so that it may return to its initial position. This return is brought about by the retracting spring 9 j v 03 (see 1 1g. 2), whlch is located on the back of the inner casing, and which is fastened thereto by the end 34, passing through a hole in the casing. The other end of the spring is fastened to the pivoted lever 35, pivoted to the casing at 36. The end of this lever engages the rack 14 by projecting into a notch 37 therein.

The back of the inner casing is bent inwardly so as to form a. receiving part 38 for the spring 33. This spring therefore returns the rack 14 and associated parts to its initial position. The 'rack 19 has no retracting spring, but the angular part 20 of the rack 14 engages the upper end 19 of the rack 19 and moves it back to its initial position (see Fig. 3).

The discharging device 39 (see Fig. 5) extends across the inner casing, and is rotatably mounted upon the sides thereof, and is provided with atoothed part 40. It is also provided with actuating projections 41. The toothed rack 19 as herein shown, is formed of two angular parts, one sliding along the back of the inner casing, and the other containing the teeth 32, being substantially parallel to one side of the inner casing. This rack 19 is provided with a projection 42 which engages one of the actuating projections 41 on the discharge device 39 as the rack is moved inwardly, and this partially rotates the discharging device so that the material on it is discharged from the machine. This discharging device is shaped in the drawing, for

discharging gum, but it may be used to discharge any other material to be vended. In. the construction shown this discharging device has three shelves, and back of each shelf is a projection 43 which insures .the discharg ing of the material.

The toothed rack 19 has at its end, an engaging part 44 which is separated from the main body of the rack by the space 45. This engaging part engages one of the projections 41 on the discharging device 39. as the rackis moved inwardly causing the discharging device to be again moved or partially rotated.

to a position to receive the material.

Some means is provided for preventing undue rotation of this discharging device so as to cause more than the prop-er amount of material to be discharged. One construction to accomplish this purpose consists in providing the toothed rack 19 with a notch 46 (see F 'ig. 16) into which one of the parts 41 is received when the rack is in its in position. It will be seen that this holds the discharging device and prevents undue movement thereof. As the rack lowers, this tends further to rotate the discharging device so as to bring another shelf in proper position to be loaded with the material. e

The discharging device is prevented from being rotated in the opposite direction by means of a pawl 47 which engages the toothed part and which is held in proper engaging position by the spring 48 (see Fig. 4).

Located within the inner casing 1 is a ma terial receptacle 50 for holding the material to be. vended. This receptacle may be of any desired shape, and is removably held in posi-. tion. It is arranged to he slid into the upper end of the inner casing. In the'particular construction shown this receptacle is open at the front .so that the material can be seen. lVhen the receptacle is used for gum, it can be made by simply bending a piece of metal, as shown for example in Fig. 7 For other materials. it would have to be made closed. This material receptacle is provided at the top with engaging pieces 51 and 52. There. are four of these engaging pieces in the construction shown, and they project straight back for a distance, and then downward, one of them being clearly shown in Fig. 4, and all of them being shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. Two of these engaging pieces 52, hook over the outside of the inner casing, the hooked ends being shown in full lines in Fig. 2. The other two have their hooked ends bent inwardly and fit against the inner face of the inner casing, as shown in Fig- 4.

In view of the fact that part of the actuating mechanism runs along one side of the inner casing, the material receptacle 50 is kept away from that side by means of projections 53, projecting therefrom, and engaging the side of the material receptacle, as shown for example in Fig. 7. This material receptacle when filled with material is slid into. the top of the inner casing, the back of it striking a projection 54 struck out from the inner casing, and which prevents it from crowdingthe operating mechanism. The upper end of this material receptacle is held against outward or inward movement by the engaging projections and hooks 51 and 52. The lower end of this material receptacle is held against outward movement in, any desired manner, as for example by having a projection 55 on the, side wall, which projects into a suitable opening or indentation in the inner casing (see Fig. 17). This project-ion will prevent accidental outward movement, but by applying force to it the material receptacle can be easily moved and removed and inserted inposition.

It is desirable to have some means so that when all of the material is discharged from the material receptacle, coins cannot be put into the machine. One form for this purpose is herein shown. In this construction the material receptacle is provided at its lower end with a slot 56. A pivoted member 57 (see Fig. 12) is connected with the inner casing, and has one end 58 which engages the material in the material receptacle. The other end 59 is held in its inoperative position as long as there is material in the material receptacle, but when all the material is discharged, then the end 58 is free to move into the receptacle and does move into the receptacle, and this moves the end 59 outwardly so that the shoulder 59 engages the pivoted lever 35 (seeFigs. 12and 15) and holds this lever against movement. This lever'holds the rack 14 up sothat the closing-pieces 22 and 22 are held to close the coin slots and prevent coins from being inserted when the machine is empty. In the construction shown the member 57 is pivoted by a pivot 60 to a part 6.1 struck up from the material of the its materialreceptacle. The rack 19 has a projection 19 which moves up with the rack and The wiping device 7 of the magnet is actuated by means of an actuating piece 62 which is connected by a pin 63 with theparts 12, there being a slot 64in the piece 62 in which this pin works. The other end of the part 62, passes through a guide 65 which may be struck up from the material of the inner casing. This wiper is therefore moved every time the coin mechanism is actuated, and if there is anything on the magnet, it would be wiped off and pass through the machine into the coin box without actuating the discharge mechanism.

The inner casing and associated parts are protected by an outer casing 67 into which the parts. are inserted. This outer casing has an opening 68 covered by a glass or transparent piece 69 so that inspection of the material holding chamber may be had to see how much material is therein. The material discharged is discharged on the shelf 67 a where it can be removed by the party using the machine. There is an inwardly projecting guiding device connected with the outer casing which acts to hold and guide the material when it is being discharged. The outer casing has a coin slot 81 which registers with the coin slot-s of the inner casing. The outer casing has a cover 82 which is locked in position by means of the lock 83. A plate 84 is first placed over the open upper end of the outer casing by being slid into position, and it has looped edges 85 which engage the looped edges 86 of the casing. This plate can be slid on from the front toward the back, and the interlocking loops hold it from outward movement. The cover 82 has overlapping edges 87 which overlap this plate 84 and which therefore prevents it from being slid out of position. The lock 83 has a bolt 88 which when the key is turned is pushed out under the plate 84, and thus prevents the cover from being moved outwardly and the overlapping parts 87 prevent the cover from being moved laterally.

I have described in detail a particular construction embodying the invention but it is of course evident that the parts may be varied in many particulars without departing from the spirit of the invention as embodied in the claims hereto appended, and I therefore do not limit myself to the particular construction shown.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

When the operating handle 15 is moved upwardly and no coin is placed in the slot, the rack 14 is moved up and the closing pieces 22 and 22 connected therewith are also moved up so as to close the coin slots in both the inner and outer casing. The removing device 7 for the magnet is also moved during this movement of the operating handle. No material will be discharged during this movement. If now the proper coin is placed in one of the slots, it moves down to a position between the projection 11 and the part 10, as shown in Fig. 6 and is stopped in this position. If now the handle 15 is moved, the rack 14 will be moved and the part 12 (see Fig. 2) will also be moved, carrying with it the projection 11. The coin 9 (Fig. 6) will also move with this projection and the toothed part 10 will be moved about its pivot, the coin being carried along with the two parts. The movement of the toothed part 10 causes the rack 19 to be moved, and this carries the engaging part 24 along with it, and the engagement of the engaging part 24 with the guiding part 27 causes the engaging part 24 to be moved about its pivot so that the hook thereof engages the part 20 (see Fig. 12) of the rack 14. This connects the rack 14 and the rack 19 together so that from this point on they move together, regardless of the coin. As the rack moves, the pawl 29 engages the first tooth 32 thereon, and this prevents backward movement of the rack and the operating handle. The racks must then be moved to their maximum in posit-ion so as to discharge the coin and the material, whereupon the pawl 29 passes the teeth and is released so as to permit the free backward movement. The backward movement of the rack 19 causes the projection 19 thereon to engage the coin 9 and disconnect it from the parts 10 and 11, whereupon it drops down into the coin box 18. The movement of the rack 19 causes the part 42 (see Figs. 3 and 13) to engage one of the projections 41 on the discharging device 39, and this partially rotates the discharging device. One of the projections 43 of the discharging device ongages the bottom piece of material in the material receptacle 50 and causes it to be discharged onto the shelf 67. The movement of the rack 14 causes the closing pieces 22 and 22 to be moved up to close the coin slots, so that nothing can be inserted therein during this movement.

The removing device during this movement is moved downwardly so as to wipe 01f any magnetic material from the poles of the magnet 6. It will be noted that when this magnetic material is wiped ed, the part 11 is in such position as to leave an open space for this material to fall into the coin receptacle, and it therefore passes through the machine without injury thereto and without opcrating the same, and this occurs even though it should be the exact size of the proper coin. lVhen the operating handle 15 is released, the spring 33, by means of the lever 35 connecting with the rack 14, moves said rack back to its initial position, and this rack and the part 20 of the rack 14, engages the end 19 of the rack 19 and moves it back to its initial position. During this backward movement of the rack 19, the engaging part 44 engages one of the projections 41 on the discharging device 39 and rotates it further so as to bring it in proper position to receive material from the material receptacle 50, that is so that one of the flat sides will be directly under this material receptacle.

It will be noted that the discharging device is always rotated in the same direction, a partial rotation discharging the material, and the next partial rotation bringing one of the fiat sides in proper position to receive the next charge.

Backward movement of this discharging device is prevented by the ratchet wheel 40 and the pawl 47. Movement in a forward direction of the material discharging device 39 is ordinarily also prevented by the pawl 49,

but to insure against this forward movement one of the projections 41 enters the notch 46 (see Fig. 16), and this prevents unauthorized rotation of the discharging device. When all of the material is out of the material receptacle, that is when the last piece of material is discharged from the material receptacle, the end 58 of the part 57 moves into the receptacle, and the end 59 (see Figs. 12 and 15) moves outwardly and the shoulder 59 thereon engages the lever 35 and holds the slot closing pieces 22 and 22 in position to close the coin slots.

I claim:

1. A vending machine comprising an outer casing, a removable inner casing, two substantially parallel racks carried by said inner casing, a handle connected with one rack, a discharge device connected with the other rack, mechanism between the racks, normally disconnected, the coin which is put into the machine forming one of the elements of said latter mechanism which makes it operative to connect the two racks.

2. A vending machine comprising an outer casing, a removable inner casing, two racks carried by said inner casing, a handle connected with one rack, a discharge device connected with the other rack, intermediate mechanism between the racks, normally disconnected and adapted to be connected by a coin, and a second connection between the racks which is moved into operative position after the racks have moved a predetermined distance and which connects them together independent of the coin.

3. A vending machine comprising a discharge device for discharging the material, a movable actuating part for said discharge device, an operating handle, a connecting mechanism between said operating handle and said movable actuating part rendered operative by the coin and means separate from said connecting mechanism for connecting said actuating part for the discharge device with said handle after it has moved a predetermined distance so as to connect it with said handle independent of said coin.

4. A vending machine comprising an outer casing, two substantially parallel racks in said casing, an operating handle connected with onerack, a discharge device connected with the other rack, a toothed member connected with each rack, the toothed members adapted to be connected by a coin so as to be actuated to actuate the discharge device.

5. A vending machine comprising a casing, two racks within the casing, a handle connected with one of said racks, a discharge device connected with the other rack, a separate toothed member connected with each rack, said toothed member having opposed coin calibrating faces between which the coin, inserted into the casing, passes, said calibrating faces stopping the coin when it is of the MARSELIUS T. ASHE. 

